Get a unique historical experience – find the best hotels in Rome

Location and offerings

In Rome there are many hotels in all categories. Among business travelers we can see two tendencies. Some prefer to stay in very central locations, near the financial district and the central station. Other business travelers choose to stay a little outside of the city center, in somewhat quieter areas with good transportation links to the motorway or airport.

Families for the most part choose to stay inside in the central city, close to shops, restaurants and sightseeing in the historic city center. Some families think it's nice to actually be able to spend some quiet time after a long day of sightseeing and therefore choose a more relaxed accommodation outside of the city center.

Couples follow a similar pattern, although they tend to choose the more upscale hotels on the menu. A nice hotel with beautiful interior enhances the entire experience and therefore couples often choose to spend a little extra on accommodations.

Since Rome is an extremely popular tourist destination, there is a plethora of different budget hotels, of varying quality and character. They often have great, central location but you should be prepared for rather basic room standards and possibly shared bathrooms.

The most exclusive hotels are located in the inner parts of Rome's city center, the historic areas and in upscale neighborhoods. Many are housed in palatial historic buildings and offer standards and service far beyond the ordinary.

Attractions and sights

Few cities have as many attractions of great cultural importance as Rome and so many people visit just to take in the history. There are many museums and famous attractions such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.

The Vatican is a city state in of itself and many tourists consider it a "must" to visit this. It is a good idea to buy the VIP pass in order to bypass the long queues to the famous Vatican Museum. You can also choose to go outside of Rome for many exciting excursions.

Many take the opportunity to visit Naples and Pompeii, Capri or Florence. Rome has two famous soccer teams; Roma and Lazio, and many people travel to the city to attend soccer matches. Hotel rooms near the stadium can fill up for the more important matches.

Restaurants, shopping and nightlife

Rome offers a wide selection of restaurants but many are quite expensive, especially those located around Piazza Navona, Piazza di Spagna and the Trastevere. There are coffee houses, bars and a wide selection of theaters, opera or ballet to attend. Rome also has a rich nightlife, with discos and nightclubs of all sorts. The best nightlife area is said to be in Trastevere.

There are several areas with excellent shopping; the most famous is the Via del Corso and the side streets around it. There are many famous designer boutiques such as Dolce & Gabbana, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Armani, Fendi, Gucci, Dior and Versace, just to name a few.

Trade shows and events

Rome is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, and the city is known for being somewhat chaotic. Many people travel here to visit the Vatican, to go to a football match, visit an exhibition, concert or other big event. At certain times, the hotels' occupancy rates are quite high. If you have a desire to stay at a particular hotel is always a good idea to book a room well in advance, preferably before you book the trip.

Travel to and in the city

Rome has two international airports; Ciampino and Fiumicino. Because Fiumicino is the largest, most travelers arrive through this airport. You can reach most places from the airport easily by train or bus. Some hotels also offer a shuttle service to and from the airport at an extra cost.

Once you arrive in Rome, you will find there is an excellent public transport system. What works best is to use the well developed bus network, which provides excellent access to most places you might want to visit around the city. There is also an underground system, but the city has only a few lines that do not provide full coverage of the city.

Since Rome has such a mild climate, it is very popular to get around the city by scooter or moped. You should always think twice before you decide on this mode of transport. The city is notorious for it's chaotic traffic and many Italians drive by their own rules. As a tourist, it may also be wise to avoid driving, at least in the city's central neighborhoods. It is difficult to get around and even more so to find parking. Moreover, the parking is often very expensive. Therefore it is a good idea to utilize public transport instead.

In Rome it is usually not a problem to find a taxi, but you should be aware that it is quite expensive. Moreover, they can apply extra charges for luggage or if you are traveling at night. Ask for a quote before starting the journey, to avoid unpleasant surprises. Also make sure that it is a legitimate taxi - there are many drivers who pose as taxi drivers and are not.

Weather and climate

The city has a very favorable Mediterranean climate, which means really good weather most of the year. Winters are rarely very cold, and the climate is relatively pleasant year round. Obviously this is of great advantage when the city is one of the world's most attractive destinations. Summer time can become very hot - often for days on end and then a hotel with good air conditioning is of great value.

Price structure

Rome is a medium-cost city to live in. With attractions like the famous Vatican City, with it's unique historical heritage, it is not surprising that the city is extremely well attended. As a result, there are unreasonably high prices in some areas. It may therefore be wise to avoid shopping in the most obvious tourist areas. In Italy it is customary to pay for the service (leave a tip) when eating at a restaurant, so this should be taken into account when paying your bill.

City pass

It is a good idea to buy the Roma Pass which entitles you to free travel on public transport and also includes free admission to many of Rome's museums and attractions.